Brittany Murphy's Sudden Death

Family, friends and fans of Brittany Murphy are mourning the actress' death. Authorities still aren't sure what caused her death but there is no evidence of foul play. (Published Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009)

Murphy, 32, was ill with laryngitis before she collapsed in the Hollywood home they shared on Sunday but she did not take any medication that was life-threatening, her husband of two years said.

"There's no question that's rubbish," Monjack told the News.

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Monjack, a British screenwriter, said officials discovered and hauled off a number of prescriptions from their home but "nothing else" was taken, and he slammed rumors that the 32-year old was taking illegal drugs.

"My wife did not take anything on the morning of her death that would have caused her to be sick or ill let alone die," he said. "It's beyond even the sickest speculation."

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An autopsy was performed on the actress Monday though it could be weeks for the results of toxicology reports to be ready. Her death likely stemmed from natural causes and that there were no signs of foul play, assistant chief coroner Ed Winter said.

The flu-like symptoms associated with the laryngitis could've contributed to the death, Winter said, but no determination will be made for four to six weeks.

Monjack, who said his wife had a heart murmur, defended his bride against claims she was living an unhealthy lifestyle.

"The attacks on me, the attacks on my wife and suggestion that she was anorexic and drug addicted, it's like, look at the photographs," he told the News. "Look at that smile. That's not the smile of an anorexic or drug addict or someone in a bad marriage.

"That's someone who was content with life."

A melancholy Brittany curled up in bed wearing her pink Beverly Hills Hotel bathrobe and monkey pajamas the night before her death. She and her husband watched three movies, ordered Thai take-out and she ate soup prepared by her mother, Monjack told USmagazine.com.

The next morning, Brittany's mother found her collapsed in the shower. She was pronounced dead at the hospital hours later.

Murphy was best known for her roles in "Clueless," "Don't Say a Word" and "8 Mile." She also lent her voice to Fox's "King of the Hill" and played Gloria the penguin in the animated feature "Happy Feet."

The starlet also dabbled in music, collaborating in 2006 with superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold on the club hit, "Faster Kill Pussycat."

She recently returned to making movies after a three-year break and told Access Hollywood that she and her husband, Monjack, hoped to start a family in the coming year.

She is due to appear in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming film, "The Expendables," set for release next year. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.